A freckle is a tiny brown spot of darkly pigmented skin seen mostly on the face, arms, chest and shoulders.
The main cause of freckles is due to excessive sun exposure, however there is also a genetic component. This makes them more common in people with fair skin. Experts believe there is a strong connection between sun exposure and heredity.
Freckles occur due to an increase in melanin production. Unfortunately not all freckle removal techniques will work for everyone, so you may need to try a few different methods before you find one that works for you.
You also need to be extra careful when going outdoors in order to prevent more freckles from forming.
Cosmetic Procedures for Freckle Removal
When it comes to freckles, prevention is very important. You should begin using sunscreen at an early age and liberally apply it to any visible area of skin, at least thirty minutes prior to heading outdoors.
Also, be sure that you periodically re-apply the sunscreen, every two to three hours. When outside, try to stay in the shade as much as possible.
Options for freckle removal include bleaching, chemical peels, retinoids, laser therapy and cryosurgery. Skin lightening products are available both over the counter and by prescription.
Keep in mind that when using these products they will not only just bleach the freckles, but every area of skin that the bleaching cream touches. If you aren’t careful you can end up with a blotchy complexion.
Chemical peels are designed to remove layers of skin, allowing for new skin to take its place. Chemical peels are available in three levels, with the first level sold in stores. The other two levels are significantly stronger and are administered by a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist.
Level two and three chemical peels will penetrate deeper and the recovery time can take one to two weeks.
Laser removal is an effective way to get rid of freckles. However, this type of treatment is expensive, costing two-hundred to six-hundred dollars per session. The amount of sessions required will vary from person to person.
Cryosurgery is a procedure that involves liquid nitrogen applied to damaged tissue. This treatment is usually performed by a dermatologist.
The Natural Approach for the Removal of Freckles
Natural remedies are another option for getting rid of freckles. You can use common ingredients found in the kitchen such as lemon juice, cucumber, honey, nutmeg, papaya and strawberries, all of which contain properties that naturally bleach the skin.
Here are a Few Freckle Home Remedies to Try:
Mix honey, nutmeg and mashed strawberries to form a paste. Apply the paste to the affected areas and leave on for one hour, use this treatment once daily.
Apply sour cream to your face, like a face mask, leave on for thirty minutes and then gently wipe off. Follow up straight away with a good moisturizer.
Gently massage either vitamin E or odorless castor oil into the affected areas before you go to bed each night.
Slightly heat up some honey and apply it to your face as a mask. Leave on for ten minutes then rinse off with lukewarm water.
Lemon and orange juice are both very effective skin bleaching agents. However, be careful when using a citrus juice because it can be very drying to the skin. For best results, mix the citrus juice with something soothing and moisturizing such as yogurt or sour cream.
While the remedies above will give you a very good start towards removing your freckles, if you read our article here : How to Lighten your Skin with Home Remedies, you will find more information about achieving a clear complexion naturally; including a natural skin whitening method, used by thousands, that gets very fast results.
Last Updated : September 3rd, 2022
Debby Lee is the main author and founder of Mylighterskin.com
Debby is a full-time website manager and writer, with over ten years of experience. She is an expert writer in the areas of health and beauty, with a special interest in skin care.
